There have been plenty of great players in the MLS and making this list was no easy task. Theseare the most famous and well known players within the world of soccer to have played in the league. Some of the sport’s biggest icons have played in the MLS. Of course, Lionel Messi is the biggest thing that happened to the league.
But apart from the recordBallon d’Orwinner, the league has seen other superstars who, back in the day, won titles such as the Champions League and the World Cup . There are some who also came to the MLS and made their mark while some others will be forgotten when it comes to league accomplishments.
This list was easy and hard to make at the same time. Picking the names was simple but ranking them was a challenge as we are ranking the best against the best. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the top 25 most famous players in MLS history.
25.Clint Dempsey
Clint Dempsey could easily be the greatest American soccer player in history. He started and ended his career in the MLS but played most of his career in Premier League side Fulham. He is Fulham’s all-time top goalscorer.
Clint Dempsey #2 of the Seattle Sounders reacts after scoring a goal in the second half against the Portland Timbers (Getty)
Dempsey was the first American player to score a hat-trick in the Premier League. While representing the United States, he earned more than 142 caps and scored 57 goals which makes him the top goalscorer tied with Landon Donovan. His huge European and International team success have made Dempsey a well known name for sports fans.
24. Carlos Vela
Carlos Vela is a Mexican player known for his creativity and goal scoring abilities. His career began with European giants Arsenal before his transfer to Real Sociedad were he played for six years before joining MLS side Los Angeles FC.
Carlos Vela #10 of Los Angeles FC reacts for a call from the referee during the first half against the Vancouver Whitecaps (Getty)
Vela has participated in two World Cups with Mexico and won the 2009 Gold Cup. He is known for his time at Real Socieded were he played 250 matches and scored 73 goals but his time at the MLS has only made him more famous. He has won the MLS Golden Boot, MLS MVP, MLS Cup and a Supporter’s Shield with LAFC already while breaking goal scoring records.
23.Alexandre Pato
Alexandre Pato is a Brazilian player who had a fantastic career from a very young age. He made his debut when he was 16 and helped his side, Internacional, win the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup before joining Milan in 2007.
Alexandre Pato of AC Milan celebrates scoring the first goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale Milano (Getty)
At Milan he earned the Golden Boy and Serie A Young Footballer of the Year award and was the top scorer for his team when they won the league title during the 2010/11 season. Pato also played for Chelsea in the Premier League and in 2021 moved toOrlando City.
22. Hristo Stoichkov
Hristo Stoichkov is a Bulgarian former player known for being a lethal forward and is widely regarded as the best Bulgarian soccer player of all time. He is a two-time runner up for the FIFA World Player of the Year Award and in 1994 he won the Ballon d’Or.
Hristo Stoitchkov #8 of the Chicago Fire smiles at the camera during their game against the New England Revolution (Getty)
Stoichkov was the top goalscorer in 1990 with CSKA Sofia which gave him the European Golden Shoe. He then joined Barcelona were he won 13 titles with the club including the Champions League. In the MLS he joined the Chicago Fire were he won the U.S. Open Cup in 2000.
21. Ashley Cole
Ashley Cole is a formerEnglish defender mostly remembered for his time at Chelsea and Arsenal in the Premier League. He has 399 Premier League appearances and is widely regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation.
Ashley Cole #3 of Los Angeles Galaxy during the first half against Club Tijuana (Getty)
Cole was a part of the “Invincibles” team with Arsenal who went a whole seaon undefeated and also won three FA Cups with the club. He then won the Champions League with Chelsea and in 2016 he joined MLS side LA Galaxy. Cole was also the 2010 England Player of the Year.
20.Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan is a former American player who holds countless MLS records. Donovan is one of the few players on this list who became even more famous, if not the most well known, during their time in the MLS. He has broken records everywhere.
Landon Donovan #10 of Los Angeles Galaxy reacts after scoring on a penalty kick in the second half against the Houston Dynamo (Getty)
Donovan won a record six MLS Cups and is Major League Soccer’s top assister. The league renamed the MVP award after him and for the United States he is also the all-time leader in assists and tied for first as the top goalscorer. He is also a four-time winner of the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year Award and the only man to ever win that award.
19. Javier Hernandez
Javier Hernandez or as he’s commonly known by, Chicharito, is a Mexican striker who has played for some of the best clubs in the world. Before joining LA Galaxy in 2020, he played for Manchester United and Real Madrid were he made a name for himself.
Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez #14 of Los Angeles Galaxy during game action against the Houston Dynamo (Getty)
Chicharito has one of the best minutes-per-goal ratios in Premier League history and is Mexico’s all-time leading goalscorer with 52 goals in 109 matches. He was the 2011 Gold Cup’s top scorer and the MVP of the tournament were he led Mexico to victory.
18. Lorenzo Insigne
Lorenzo Insigne shocked the world by announcing he was leaving Napoli at his 30 years of age as a free agent for Major League Soccer outfit Toronto FC in the summer of 2022.
Lorenzo Insigne juggles the ball while making his MLS debut against Charlotte FC. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Insigne is an electric winger who played more than 300 games with Napoli and also shone with the Italian national team, playing a pivotal role in their 2020 Euro success. His move to Toronto was huge for MLS as he was still in his prime.
17. Lothar Matthaus
Lothar Matthaus is a former German player who was an absolutemachine on the pitch. He captained his team to win the 1990 FIFA World Cup and was named the European Footballer of the Year were he still remains as the only German player to have received that award. He joined MLS side Metrostars in 2000.
Lothar Matthaus #10 of the NY/NJ MetroStars waves during the lineup before a game against the Miami Fusion (Getty)
Until 2018 Matthaus had the record for playing in the most World Cups having participated in five different ones. Diego Maradona said this about Matthaus, “he is the best rival I’ve ever had. I guess that is enough to define him”.
16. Alessandro Nesta
Alessandro Nesta is a fomer Italian defender who is widely considered as one of the best defenders of all time. He is a four-time Serie A Defender of the Year and in 2004 he was named one of the Top 100 Greatest Living Footballers.
Alessandro Nesta #14 of the Montreal Impact controls the ball against the New England Revolution (Getty)
Nesta won the World Cup with Italy in 2006 and is a four-time UEFA Team of the Year player. He has two Champions League and was inducted into the A.C. Milan Hall of Fame. In 2012 he signed for Montreal Impact as a free transfer.
15. Gonzalo Higuain
Gonzalo Higuain is a formerArgentine striker known for being a prolific goalscorer. He played for Real Madrid, Napoli, and Juventus before joining Inter Miami in 2020. in 2016 he became the highest ever transfer for an Italian club when Juventus signed him for 90 million euros.
Gonzalo Higuain #9 of Inter Miami CF looks on prior to the game against New York City FC (Getty)
Higuain has the record for most goals in a single Serie A season with 36 and is a three-time Serie A Team of the Year player.His stint with Inter Miami didn’t start well but he left on a high note, being instrumental in the team’s run to the playoffs in 2022.
14. Carlos Valderrama
Carlos “El Pibe” Valderrama could possibly have the most famous hairstyle out of any player ever. He is considered by many as Colombia’s greatest ever player and was one of South America’s most recognisable players in the late 1980s.
Carlos Valderrama #10 of the Colorado Rapids walks upfield against the Los Angeles Galaxy (Getty)
Valderrama won the South American Footballer of the Year award in two separate occasions and is Colombia’s most capped player. He joined the MLS side Tampa Bay Mutiny in their very first inaugural season and in 2005 was named as an MLS All-Time Best XI.
13. Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard is a former English player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation. He was the Man of the Match in the Champions League final in 2005 when his team came back from being 3-0 down in what became known as the “Miracle of Istanbul”.
Steven Gerrard #8 of the Los Angeles Galaxy waves at his family (Getty)
Gerrard is the only player to score in an FA Cup Final, a UEFA Cup Final, a League Cup Final, and a UEFA Champions League Final, winning every final as well. He is England’s fourth most capped player and has the record for most matches as Liverpool captain with 473. Gerrardjoined LA Galaxy in 2015and retired a year later.
12. Bastian Schweinsteiger
Bastian Schweinsteiger is a former German player whois considered as one of the greatest midfielders of all time . He is mostly remembered for his time at Bayern Munich were he won 18 titles including the UEFA Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup.
Bastian Schweinsteiger #31 of the Chicago Fire controls the ball against the Houston Dynamo (Getty)
Schweinsteiger made his move to Chicago Fire in 2017 were he played for two years before he retired. He won the World Cup with Germany in 2014 was the 2013 Footballer of the Year in Germany . He was also a two-time MLS All-Star and in 2018 he got inducted into the FC Bayern Munich Hall of Fame.
11. Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard is a former English player who is considered as one of Chelsea’s best ever players and one of the greatest midfielders of his generation. He spent 13 years playing with Chelsea and is the clubs all-time leading goalscorer with 211 goals.
Frank Lampard of Chelsea in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Aston Villa (Getty)
Lampard is a legend of the game and the only midfielder to have scored more than 150 goals in the Premier League. He joined New York City FC in 2015 were he played 29 games and scored 15 goals before he retired at the club.
10. David Villa
David Villa is a former Spanish player regarded by many as the best Spanish striker of all time. He won the UEFA Champions League with Barcelona in 2011 and the FIFA Club World Cup. He is Spain’s all-time top scorer with 59 goals.
David Villa #7 of New York City FC is seen on the field during a MLS soccer match between New York City FC and Orlando City SC (Getty)
Villa joined New York City FC in 2014 and stayed with the club for four years. He is NYCFC’s all-time top scorer with 80 goals and was a two-time MLS Best XI. In 2016 he won the MLS MVP and in 2017 he was awarded the Best MLS Player ESPY Award.
9. Didier Drogba
Didier Drogba is a former Ivorian striker and the all time top goalscorer for his country. He is widely regarded as one of Chelsea’s best ever players and he also won the African Footballer of the Year twice.He transfered to MLS side Montreal Impact in 2015 were he scored 21 goals in 33 games.
Didier Drogba #11 of Montreal Impact battles with Eriq Zavaleta #15 of Toronto FC (Getty)
Drogba was the first Chelsea player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League and the player with the most Golden Boots in the clubs history. He is the only player to score in four separate FA Cup finals. Drogba is one of the best African players of all time.
8. Andrea Pirlo
Andrea Pirlo is a former Italian player known for his class and creativity. He was a crucial player to Italy’s World Cup win in 2006 and is the fifth-most capped player for his country.He has won countless trophies in his career and is one of the best ever deep-lying playmakers the sport has ever seen.
Andrea Pirlo #21 of New York City FC prepares for a corner kick during a MLS soccer match between New York City FC and Orlando City SC (Getty)
Pirlo won two Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup with Milan. He has won six Serie A league titles and two Coppa Italia trophies. In 2015 he transfered to MLS side NYCFC were he played for four years. He has been inducted in both Italy’s Hall of Fame and the Juventus Greatest XI of all time.
7. Kaka
Kaka is a former Brazilian player who is considered as one of the best players of his generation. He is one of only eight players to have won the FIFA World Cup, the Champions League, and the Ballon d’Or. He is mostly known for his time with Real Madrid and AC Milan.
Kaka #10 of Orlando City SC moves the ball during the MLS game against the Montreal Impact (Getty)
Kaka joined Orlando City in 2014 and played for the club until he retired in 2017. He is a three-time MLS All-Star and has won countless individual awards. Kaka was the top assist provider in two different Champions League seasons and the top scorer in the 2006/07 season.
6. Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale‘s move to LAFC waswithout any doubt one of the biggest signings in MLS history. Not because it was an expensive transfer— Bale was out of contract at Real Madrid— but because of the Welsh player’s fame.
Gareth Bale of Los Angeles FC celebrates during the MLS Cup victory parade. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Bale was a world-class winger who helped Real Madrid win multiple UEFA Champions League titles and won an MLS Cup with LAFC in his first year at the club. His MLS tenure lasted just six months as he retired after the Qatar 2022 World Cup, but Bale helped to increase the league’s exposure.
5. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of the most decorated players and the third player with the most goal contributions in the last decade only behind Messi and Ronaldo.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic #9 of Los Angeles Galaxy celebrates his second goal against the Portland Timbers (Getty)
Ibrahimovic has scored over 500 goals throughout his career and has scored in the last four decades. He joined LA Galaxy in 2018 were he scored 52 goals in 56 games, an insane games-to-goal ratio! He has 11 Ballon d’Or nominations and won the 2013 Puskas Award for his 35-yard bicycle kick.
4. Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney is a former English player who is widely considered as one of the best players of his generation. He is the top goalscorer for both Manchester United and the England National team. Rooney is also the second-top scorer in Premier League history.
Wayne Rooney #9 of DC United warms up before playing against the Vancouver Whitecaps (Getty)
Rooney joined D.C. United in 2018 were he scored 23 goals in 48 games. He is also the youngest player to start in a competitive match for England at 17 years and 160 days. A true legend of the game and one of the most decorated Premier League players of all time.
3.Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry is a former French striker who is widely considered as the greatest player in the history of the Premier League and one of the best strikers of all time. Henry was one of the most marketed soccer players during the 2000’s.
Thierry Henry #14 of New York Red Bulls reacts during the game against the New England Revolution (Getty)
Henry joined the New York Red Bulls in 2010 were he scored 51 goals in 122 games andwon the Supporters’ Shield in 2013. He is a four-time MLS All-Star and three-time MLS Best XI.Henry won the FIFA World Cup with France and is a four-time Premier League Golden Boot winner.
2. David Beckham
David Beckhamwasthe most famous player in MLS history until Messichanged the league forever. He played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe like Manchester United and Real Madrid. He was alsothe first English player to play in 100 UEFA Champions League matches.
David Beckham #23 of Los Angeles Galaxy celebrates after teammate Omar Gonzalez #4 scores a second half goal against the Houston Dynamo (Getty)
Beckhamis a legend in the soccer world and he is also extremelywell known just as a celebrity. He joined LA Galaxyin 2007 were he won two MLS Cupsand two Supporters’ Shields. Beckham is now the owner of Inter Miami FC and continues his huge impact in the MLS.
1. Lionel Messi
Though the likes of Becks and Henry have also been crucial to put MLS on the map, nothing compares to the arrival of Lionel Messi. The Argentine superstar still had enough left in the tank to continue shining in Europe, but instead, decided to take his talents to the US.
Lionel Messi being introduced as an Inter Miami signing. (Getty Images)
At 36 and off the back of a World Cup success, Messi immediately turned Inter Miami around as he led the club to its first ever title at the 2023 Leagues Cup. His presencemade an unprecedented impact both on and off the field, with fans going crazy just to see him play or to get his jersey. An extremely decorated player who won the most important trophies on Earth, Messi is widely regarded as the best player of all time. Therefore, the first spot on this list couldn’t belong to anyone else.
